SHILLONG, April 12 � Khasis in Meghalaya today celebrated the Shad Suk Mynsiem (Dance of the Joyful Soul).
Attired in traditional regalia and finery, Khasi maidens and young men took to the dancing arena at the Weiking Grounds in Shillong with serene grace and dignity on the occasion of the annual thanks-giving festival.
�Literally meaning the �Dance of the joyful soul�, Shad Suk Mynsiem is a thanksgiving dance festival of the indigenous people to the Almighty for bountiful harvest, health, wealth and peace,� explains Sumar Sing Sawian, an elder of the Seng Khasi, a movement to preserve and propagate the indigenous religion and culture.
The maidens dressed in expensive silk costumes with heavy gold, silver and coral ornaments dance in the inner circle of the arena. The men form an outer circle and dance to the accompaniment of traditional music.
Thousands of people, from all over the Khasi Hills take part in the day-long festivities and witness the graceful steps of the youth to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments, including drums (�ka bom�) and the flute (�tangmuri�).
Priests lead the people in offering prayers to God seeking blessings for the well being of humanity.
Traditional dance festivals are refreshingly ancient and not merely entertainment in Meghalaya, home to the indigenous tribal communities; dance-forms have always been an expression of deep spirituality.
No indigenous festival is complete in this Hill State without performance of traditional dances, which express the dynamism and subtle nuances of life itself. � PTI
SHILLONG, April 12 � Khasis in Meghalaya today celebrated the Shad Suk Mynsiem (Dance of the Joyful Soul).
Attired in traditional regalia and finery, Khasi maidens and young men took to the dancing arena at the Weiking Grounds in Shillong with serene grace and dignity on the occasion of the annual thanks-giving festival.
�Literally meaning the �Dance of the joyful soul�, Shad Suk Mynsiem is a thanksgiving dance festival of the indigenous people to the Almighty for bountiful harvest, health, wealth and peace,� explains Sumar Sing Sawian, an elder of the Seng Khasi, a movement to preserve and propagate the indigenous religion and culture.
The maidens dressed in expensive silk costumes with heavy gold, silver and coral ornaments dance in the inner circle of the arena. The men form an outer circle and dance to the accompaniment of traditional music.
Thousands of people, from all over the Khasi Hills take part in the day-long festivities and witness the graceful steps of the youth to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments, including drums (�ka bom�) and the flute (�tangmuri�).
Priests lead the people in offering prayers to God seeking blessings for the well being of humanity.
Traditional dance festivals are refreshingly ancient and not merely entertainment in Meghalaya, home to the indigenous tribal communities; dance-forms have always been an expression of deep spirituality.
No indigenous festival is complete in this Hill State without performance of traditional dances, which express the dynamism and subtle nuances of life itself. � PTI
